Bai Tian Gong - An Unignorable Tradition of The Hokkiens

by Gooi Ai Moon

Sugar cane, roasted pork, red turtle cake, ritual money, the house of Jade Emperor, fruits……Mr. Gooi and his family members were busy preparing for Bai Tian Gong on the eve of celebration, which was the 8th day of the first month in Chinese lunar calendar.

Bai Tian Gong is a meaningful celebration for the Hokkiens since their ancestors emigrated from China long time ago. No matter which state they are staying now, they still inherit this tradition to their descendant. This cultural continuity can be seen on Mr. Gooi’s family.

Mrs. Gooi and her daughter woke up 6 am on the eve of Bai Tian Gong. It was because they were going to the market to buy the offerings which were needed for the celebration. The necessities of Bai Tian Gong including a pair of sugar cane, red turtle cake, huat kueh, pineapple and several fruits.  Fortunately, the seller of sugar cane provided home delivery service, so that they could get rid of the burden of carrying the long sugar cane to next destination. 

After that, Mrs. Gooi and her daughter proceed to the religious paraphernalia shop about 8 am. In the religious paraphernalia shop, they need to buy different types of ritual papers and the house of Jade Emperor as well. Later, Mrs. Gooi went to the roasted pork stall to buy the roasted pork which had ordered on last week. The purchase procedures were end.  

At night, Mr. Gooi and family started to set up the offering table at 9 pm. Some of them were responsible for the decoration of fruits and offerings, while some of them were decorating the offering table. After that, Mr. Gooi and family lined all the ritual papers in front of their house and waited until the ceremony start.

The ceremony was began at 11:45 pm. Mr. Gooi burned the first incense and made a wish from the Jade Emperor, then following by his wife and children. Mr. Gooi then burned the ritual money and the house of Jade Emperor while Mrs. Gooi lighted the firecrackers. There were also many Hokkiens’ family in the same residential area flied the Kongming lanterns to celebrate the Jade Emperor’s birthday.

Mr. Gooi and family cleaned up the offering table and packed the offerings (red turtle cake and roasted pork) for their relatives and friends at 12:30 pm. The Bai Tian Gong Celebration was ended.

Although the Hokkien family needs to prepare for the Bai Tian Gong Celebration from early morning until midnight, they still celebrate the ceremony year by year; we could imagine how important this celebration is for the Hokkiens. 

See also
The Legend and Significant of Bai Tian Gong
The Necessities and Expenses of Bai Tian Gong
Sugarcane is a “MUST”
Decoration of the Offering Table